Found this today. An old Costco membership card, selling as a collectible! Go figure. You can sell anything on ebay. Try.
Posts
Hoops Preview: 2024-25 Western Kentucky
1 day ago
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
ebay Watch: Old Costco membership card
Periodically, I'll scour eBay for any interesting Costco-related merchandise up for sale.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Top 10 Kirkland Signature Items
"Generic brand or name brand?" That's the question everyone always asks. There are certain things, like pharmaceuticals, where generic is the same thing as name brand b/c of FDA regulations. With food and other consumer packaged goods though, it varies. You will get different answers on different products. Having worked for a food company for the past 5 years, I can tell you that yes, it does vary, based on the product. There is some cheese powder that we make for "generic" brand of mac & cheese that is better quality than our (K)raft blue-box mac & cheese. Marketing at my company, and most CPG companies, are tasked to build the brand, so that consumers will pay more for the name more than anything.
That being said, I'm a believer in Kirkland brand products at Costco, and firmly believe the quality is the same, if not better, than their name brand counterparts. Here's a list of my favorite Kirkland items:
10. Batteries - 48 AA batteries for $9.99, compare to the Duracell, 36 for $12.89.
9. Vitarain - Like Vitamin Water, but not the price? Try the 4 flavors of Vitarain, 24 20oz bottles for $11.99.
8. 13 gal kitchen drawstring bags - very strong bags, haven't had one break yet. 200 ct box for $14.79.
7. Boneless, skinless chicken breast (co-branded w/Tyson) - 6.5 lb frozen bag for $15.99, each chicken is individually wrapped, reduces freezer burn!
6. Chocolate chunk cookies - best cookies ever. 36 oz ~24 cookies for $6.49
5. Organic Instant Oatmeal - 45 packets of five flavors (Apples & Cinnamon, Oats & Flax, Regular, Mixed Berry, Maple Syrup) - my daily breakfast, much higher quality than Quaker. 45 packets for $8.99
4. Baby wipes - Box of 704 total wipes for $15.49. We also have used Huggies brand wipes, and I would argue that Kirkland wipes are better.
3. Laundry detergent - We use the free & clear detergent and it's great! 170 fl.oz or 110 loads for $12.79. It's great if you have any allergies b/c it has no perfumes or dyes, and it's also a nice substitute for baby laundry, instead of buying Dreft!
2. Rotisserie chicken - A quick, easy, yummy dinner choice that will last you a few meals. Price has gone up to $6.49, but still a great deal. Beats Boston Market anyday.
1. Toilet Paper - I'm not a fan of Charmin, it's crumbly, for lack of a better word (TMI?) Kirkland brand wipes smooth and is much more affordable at 36 rolls/425 sheets per roll for $16.99. #1 bestseller at Costco.
Feel free to add some of your favorites!
That being said, I'm a believer in Kirkland brand products at Costco, and firmly believe the quality is the same, if not better, than their name brand counterparts. Here's a list of my favorite Kirkland items:
10. Batteries - 48 AA batteries for $9.99, compare to the Duracell, 36 for $12.89.
9. Vitarain - Like Vitamin Water, but not the price? Try the 4 flavors of Vitarain, 24 20oz bottles for $11.99.
8. 13 gal kitchen drawstring bags - very strong bags, haven't had one break yet. 200 ct box for $14.79.
7. Boneless, skinless chicken breast (co-branded w/Tyson) - 6.5 lb frozen bag for $15.99, each chicken is individually wrapped, reduces freezer burn!
6. Chocolate chunk cookies - best cookies ever. 36 oz ~24 cookies for $6.49
5. Organic Instant Oatmeal - 45 packets of five flavors (Apples & Cinnamon, Oats & Flax, Regular, Mixed Berry, Maple Syrup) - my daily breakfast, much higher quality than Quaker. 45 packets for $8.99
4. Baby wipes - Box of 704 total wipes for $15.49. We also have used Huggies brand wipes, and I would argue that Kirkland wipes are better.
3. Laundry detergent - We use the free & clear detergent and it's great! 170 fl.oz or 110 loads for $12.79. It's great if you have any allergies b/c it has no perfumes or dyes, and it's also a nice substitute for baby laundry, instead of buying Dreft!
2. Rotisserie chicken - A quick, easy, yummy dinner choice that will last you a few meals. Price has gone up to $6.49, but still a great deal. Beats Boston Market anyday.
1. Toilet Paper - I'm not a fan of Charmin, it's crumbly, for lack of a better word (TMI?) Kirkland brand wipes smooth and is much more affordable at 36 rolls/425 sheets per roll for $16.99. #1 bestseller at Costco.
Feel free to add some of your favorites!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Membership has its privileges: how to make the most of your membership
Let's do a quick primer on how to maximize your membership and cash-back at Costco:
There are 3 types of membership at Costco:
Executive ($100/yr) - The highest level of membership, Executive Members receive an annual 2% reward on most Costco purchases. This can, in essence, pay for your membership. This year we got ~$75 for our reward, which brings our membership fee down to $25, which you will get back with all of the savings. If you spent $5000 or more in a year at Costco (don't laugh, it's entirely possible), the 2% reward would fully pay for your membership. There are some other benefits for executive members, primarily with the services that Costco provides, i.e. mortgages, check printing, loans, etc. You can have one additional card per household.
Business ($50/yr) - This is for licensed businesses, non-profit organizations, government agencies, farmers, and ranchers (random). Additional business membership cards are $40/each.
Gold Star ($50/yr) - For individuals who don't qualify as a business, this includes one additional card per household. Basically this gets you in the door.
Costco TrueEarnings AMEX card - This card is co-branded with Costco & American Express. A simple, unlimited cash-back card, this will give back:
IMO: combine the above executive membership with the Costco TrueEarnings AMEX card to maximize your cash back. Costco only takes AMEX for credit card payment (cash, check, debit), and you're really double-dipping when you have both executive membership and the Costco AMEX. It will pay for your membership and then some. A few years back, we got about $550 cash-back from our AMEX usage. So it can be a very nice bonus. We use it exclusively for any fast food, restaurant, airfare, rental cars, priceline, and of course Costco purchases, and the cash-back adds up.
There are 3 types of membership at Costco:
Executive ($100/yr) - The highest level of membership, Executive Members receive an annual 2% reward on most Costco purchases. This can, in essence, pay for your membership. This year we got ~$75 for our reward, which brings our membership fee down to $25, which you will get back with all of the savings. If you spent $5000 or more in a year at Costco (don't laugh, it's entirely possible), the 2% reward would fully pay for your membership. There are some other benefits for executive members, primarily with the services that Costco provides, i.e. mortgages, check printing, loans, etc. You can have one additional card per household.
Business ($50/yr) - This is for licensed businesses, non-profit organizations, government agencies, farmers, and ranchers (random). Additional business membership cards are $40/each.
Gold Star ($50/yr) - For individuals who don't qualify as a business, this includes one additional card per household. Basically this gets you in the door.
Costco TrueEarnings AMEX card - This card is co-branded with Costco & American Express. A simple, unlimited cash-back card, this will give back:
- 3% for gas purchases
- 3% for restaurant purchases
- 2% for travel-related purchases
- 1% for everything else, including Costco purchases
IMO: combine the above executive membership with the Costco TrueEarnings AMEX card to maximize your cash back. Costco only takes AMEX for credit card payment (cash, check, debit), and you're really double-dipping when you have both executive membership and the Costco AMEX. It will pay for your membership and then some. A few years back, we got about $550 cash-back from our AMEX usage. So it can be a very nice bonus. We use it exclusively for any fast food, restaurant, airfare, rental cars, priceline, and of course Costco purchases, and the cash-back adds up.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Unadvertised savings at Costco
We all know about the 2-week coupon deals that come monthly or bi-monthly. We also know about the Passport to Savings, a summer's worth of coupons specified by week.
However, you will often find items that have an instant manufacturer's rebate or instant savings that is unadvertised. There's not really a place online where these are tracked that I know of. I think Costco does this intentionally to get foot traffic and people through the doors.
One deal that we found a few weeks ago was the Kirkland Signature Fish Oil Omega 3 Concentrate - 400 softgels (#926628), originally priced at $8.99, but with an instant savings of $2, it was $6.99. These are the "fishy" smelling pills, not the more expensive enteric-coated ones. But $6.99 for 400 softgels is a steal!
Another deal mined from Baby Cheapskate, Enfamil Lipil (powder) formula - 38oz can for $28 (regular price $32). Should be on sale for that price through August 28.
Another baby/vitamin-related note: Our doctor recommended supplementing our daughter with Enfamil brand Tri-Vi-Sol, a vitamin supplement for breastfed infants. There are 3 essential vitamins: A, C D. Breast milk is by far the best food for infants, but it apparently lacks recommended amounts of vitamin D. If you were to walk into your local drugstore, it would probably run $9.89 for the 1.67 fl. oz bottle. Walmart probably carries it for less, but it wasn't in stock at 2 Walmarts that we went to. Costco, of all places, has it for $8.59, which is the lowest I've seen. It's in the pharmacy section, on the counter at our Costco. There is probably a corresponding generic drug, but I haven't looked for it.
However, you will often find items that have an instant manufacturer's rebate or instant savings that is unadvertised. There's not really a place online where these are tracked that I know of. I think Costco does this intentionally to get foot traffic and people through the doors.
One deal that we found a few weeks ago was the Kirkland Signature Fish Oil Omega 3 Concentrate - 400 softgels (#926628), originally priced at $8.99, but with an instant savings of $2, it was $6.99. These are the "fishy" smelling pills, not the more expensive enteric-coated ones. But $6.99 for 400 softgels is a steal!
Another deal mined from Baby Cheapskate, Enfamil Lipil (powder) formula - 38oz can for $28 (regular price $32). Should be on sale for that price through August 28.
Another baby/vitamin-related note: Our doctor recommended supplementing our daughter with Enfamil brand Tri-Vi-Sol, a vitamin supplement for breastfed infants. There are 3 essential vitamins: A, C D. Breast milk is by far the best food for infants, but it apparently lacks recommended amounts of vitamin D. If you were to walk into your local drugstore, it would probably run $9.89 for the 1.67 fl. oz bottle. Walmart probably carries it for less, but it wasn't in stock at 2 Walmarts that we went to. Costco, of all places, has it for $8.59, which is the lowest I've seen. It's in the pharmacy section, on the counter at our Costco. There is probably a corresponding generic drug, but I haven't looked for it.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
A vacation must
is visiting the local Costco! We've made a point to try and visit the local Costco wherever we vacation. We've neglected to take pictures at every single one, but here are a few where we did!
On our honeymoon, we stayed overnight in Miami after our cruise. Had to make a quick visit to Costco Miami Lakes!
The mother ship. Costco in Issaquah, WA, the original Costco. We also drove around the corporate HQ nearby, in hopes of finding a visitor center of sorts. No dice, and I was too chicken to walk into the lobby.
Our little monkey's first trip to Costco!
Other Costco's not pictured:
N. Phoenix, AZ
Sunnyvale, CA
Burbank, CA
Bloomingdale, IL
Glenview, IL
Mt. Prospect, IL
Naperville, IL
Niles, IL
Oak Brook, IL
Kansas City, MO
Livonia, MI
On our honeymoon, we stayed overnight in Miami after our cruise. Had to make a quick visit to Costco Miami Lakes!
The mother ship. Costco in Issaquah, WA, the original Costco. We also drove around the corporate HQ nearby, in hopes of finding a visitor center of sorts. No dice, and I was too chicken to walk into the lobby.
Our little monkey's first trip to Costco!
Other Costco's not pictured:
N. Phoenix, AZ
Sunnyvale, CA
Burbank, CA
Bloomingdale, IL
Glenview, IL
Mt. Prospect, IL
Naperville, IL
Niles, IL
Oak Brook, IL
Kansas City, MO
Livonia, MI
Costco fans unite!
I've toyed with this idea of starting a Costco fans blog for a while. Everytime we travel, I insist on visiting the local Costco and taking a picture. I don't quite know what content will be featured here; coupon deals, new product introductions, reviews are anticipated.
We'll see where this goes, but cheers to Costco, our favorite retail store!
We'll see where this goes, but cheers to Costco, our favorite retail store!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
